Air-Fryer Breadcrumbs: A Quick, Easy, And Crispy Guide

Making breadcrumbs in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to use up leftover bread. All you need is bread, an air fryer, and a food processor. You can use any type of bread you like, including leftover bread, fresh bread, stale bread, gluten-free bread, or even day-old bread. Simply cut the bread into strips or squares, place them in the air fryer, and cook at a low temperature for around 15 minutes, or until they are dried out. Then, blitz the dried bread in a food processor until you have crumbs of your desired size. Season and store your breadcrumbs in an airtight container in the fridge, where they will last for about two weeks.

Choosing the right bread

When it comes to choosing the right bread for making breadcrumbs in an air fryer, there are several options to consider. Here are some factors to keep in mind:

Type of Bread

You can use any type of bread you prefer or have on hand, such as white bread, whole wheat bread, gluten-free bread, or even leftover or stale bread. Using bread with a softer crust, like milk bread, can give your breadcrumbs a nice, buttery flavour. If you want to add an extra nutty taste to your breadcrumbs, choose a bread with pieces of grains or seeds on top.

Bread Texture

The texture of the bread will impact the final result of your breadcrumbs. If you're using stale or day-old bread, it will already be drier and harder, which is perfect for making croutons or breadcrumbs. Fresh bread can also be used, but you'll need to cut it into strips or smaller chunks to help remove moisture during the air-frying process.

Amount of Bread

When making breadcrumbs in an air fryer, you'll want to cut the bread into strips or squares. For a standard air fryer, you'll need about 2-3 cups of tightly packed bread strips to fill the basket. If you don't have enough bread ends or crusts, you can save them up for a week to get the desired quantity.

Bread Seasoning

Depending on how you plan to use your breadcrumbs, you can season the bread before air frying. For example, if you're making croutons for a Caesar salad, you might want to add garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or salt and pepper. If you're making breadcrumbs for a specific dish, such as Italian cuisine, you can add seasonings like oregano, rosemary, garlic powder, or cumin powder.

Bread Storage

If you're not planning to use your bread right away, proper storage is essential. Bread can be stored for up to a week if you're saving up crusts and ends. For the best results, use fresh or slightly stale bread for making breadcrumbs. Once you've made your breadcrumbs, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for about two weeks in the fridge.

Air fryer settings

The settings you use for your air fryer will depend on the type of breadcrumbs you want. For example, if you want softer breadcrumbs, similar to garlic bread, you should cook the bread cubes for less time. For harder breadcrumbs, you should cook them for longer.

When making breadcrumbs, set your air fryer to 120°C for 15 minutes. If the bread browns before the time is up, stop the air fryer. If you are making croutons, set your air fryer to 200°C/400°F for 4 minutes for softer croutons, or 6 minutes for harder croutons.

Processing the bread

The first step in making bread crumbs in an air fryer is to prepare the bread. You can use any type of bread you have on hand, such as leftover bread, fresh bread, stale bread, gluten-free bread, or even bread crusts and end slices. If you are using slices of bread, trim away the brown crusts and cut the bread into strips or squares. For stale or leftover bread, simply slice or tear the bread into small chunks. The amount of bread you need may vary depending on your desired yield, but as a reference, 7 large slices of bread can produce about 3.5 cups of breadcrumbs.

Once you have prepared the bread, you can season it if desired. This is optional, but seasoning can add flavour to your breadcrumbs and make them more versatile for different cuisines. You can use a pre-made seasoning blend or create your own mix of dried herbs and spices. Some suggested seasonings include oregano, rosemary, garlic powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, garam masala, red chilli powder, and dried mango powder. You can also make Italian breadcrumbs by adding Italian seasoning or a combination of parsley, basil, oregano, thyme, and garlic powder.

After seasoning (if desired), it's time to toast or dry the bread. This step will vary depending on whether you are using an air fryer, oven, or toaster. For an air fryer, place the bread strips or chunks into the air fryer basket, leaving some space between them. Set the temperature and timer according to your desired level of doneness; for harder croutons, use a higher temperature or longer cooking time. A temperature of around 200°C for 4-6 minutes will produce harder croutons, while a lower temperature or shorter cooking time will result in softer croutons. You can also use an oven or toaster to dry out the bread; simply arrange the bread in a single layer on a baking sheet and toast until dry and golden brown.

Once the bread is toasted or dried, let it cool down before proceeding to the next step. It is important that the bread is completely cool before grinding it into crumbs. This will help ensure that the crumbs have a consistent texture and size.

Storing the breadcrumbs

Once you've made your breadcrumbs, it's important to store them properly to ensure they stay fresh and don't go mouldy. Here are some tips for storing your breadcrumbs:

Use an airtight container: Transfer your breadcrumbs to an airtight container once they have cooled down completely. This will help keep them dry and fresh.

Refrigerate: Store the airtight container with the breadcrumbs in the refrigerator. This will extend their shelf life and keep them from going rancid. Breadcrumbs can last for about two weeks in the fridge.

Use a dry spoon: When taking out breadcrumbs from the container, use a dry spoon to prevent any moisture from getting into the container.

Consume within two months: Even when stored correctly, breadcrumbs have a limited shelf life. Aim to consume them within two months for the best quality and taste.

Make small batches: Breadcrumbs made in an air fryer are best made in small batches as they can go bad quickly. Making small batches ensures you use them up before they spoil.

Freeze: If you have made a large batch, consider freezing the breadcrumbs. Put them in an airtight container and store them in the freezer. Take out as much as you need and thaw them before use.

By following these storage tips, you can keep your air-fried breadcrumbs fresh and ready to use for your recipes!

Seasoning the breadcrumbs

Seasoning your breadcrumbs is a great way to add flavour to your dish. You can use a pre-made seasoning mix or make your own.

For Italian-style breadcrumbs, add 2 tablespoons of Italian seasoning to your breadcrumbs, or make your own mix by adding 2 and a half teaspoons of parsley, 1 and a half teaspoons of basil, 1 and a half teaspoons of oregano, 1 teaspoon of thyme, and 1 teaspoon of garlic powder to your breadcrumbs while they're in the food processor.

If you're making croutons, you can season them with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. You could also try Italian seasoning, or cayenne pepper if you plan to use the croutons in a soup, like tomato soup.

Seasoning Mix 1

• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp dried rosemary
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin powder
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp coriander powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin powder

Mediterranean Seasoning Mix

• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp dried parsley
• 1/4 tsp crushed pepper
• 1/4 tsp cumin powder (optional)

Frequently asked questions